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Author Topic: Which Distro To Try  (Read 18792 times)

Capn_Fish

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Which Distro To Try
« on: May 24, 2007, 06:33:44 pm »
I'm getting that itch to try a new Linux distro (I've been using (X)Ubuntu), and am debating between trying Slackware or Gentoo, or moving to Debian.

I really don't mind a lack of GUI tools or fiddling, so what distro do people recommend I try first? I wouldn't really be "trying" Debian, as I've been fiddling with it for a while.

I'm really only looking for ease of package removal (installation isn't so much of an issue)/building, and this installation would be on a 1 GHz dektop with 1 GB of RAM. I have 40 GB partitioned off for fiddling (I knew this was going to happen  ), so disk space shouldn't be an issue.

Thanks.
« Last Edit: May 24, 2007, 06:37:35 pm by Capn_Fish »
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T3_slider

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« Reply #1 on: May 24, 2007, 07:12:20 pm »
I'm partial to Slackware, but this really is a religious debate. I'm not sure about Gentoo, but Slackware has a removepkg tool for uninstallation (also available through pkgtools, a GUI-ish front-end for removepkg etc.).

Slackware has a nice rpm2tgz tool to allow you to use RPMs as well as its native .tgz package format, but compiling is no big deal.

Using a newer version of WINE under Slackware requires a 2.6 kernel (which most people would install anyway), but the 2.6 kernel is not the default (although it is an option when you install Slackware).

Although I will soon be getting a new PC (It's about time), I'm currently running Slackware on a 333 MHz (Yeah, you read it right) processor with 256 Mb RAM, so it should definitely run fine on your PC.

Bottom line: You already know what you'd be getting from Debian (You said you are already fiddling with it), so I would say try out either Gentoo or Slackware and if you don't like it then move to Debian (Or try the other one).
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Capn_Fish

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« Reply #2 on: May 24, 2007, 07:27:31 pm »
I really want to use a 2.6 kernel. Is it fairly painless to set it as the default?
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T3_slider

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« Reply #3 on: May 25, 2007, 12:28:22 pm »
Yes, it's basically painless. A kernel screen in the installation process allows you to select a 2.6 kernel image (I think it's called "test26", but I don't remember). You can also upgrade the kernel to 2.6 after installing the 2.4 kernel, but if you're installing from scratch anyway it's easier to install the 2.6 kernel from the start.
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desertrat

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« Reply #4 on: May 25, 2007, 01:21:11 pm »
Gentoo. When uninstalling packages you will be told which files have been removed and which files/directories were not removed (usually when directory is not empty), thus you can manually check and remove if necessary - this means no crud need be leftover from uninstalls.

The best thing about Gentoo (apart from its excellent and copious documentation - much better and more extensive than Debian's I might add) is that it is continually updated.
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Capn_Fish

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« Reply #5 on: May 25, 2007, 02:13:39 pm »
I (almost) never read docs anyway, so they aren't really a bonus  .

Any other opinions? I'm currently thinking Gentoo, and will probably go install it soon, but I'd like to hear what others have to say.
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tanjian2

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« Reply #6 on: May 25, 2007, 06:31:55 pm »
Quote
I (almost) never read docs anyway, so they aren't really a bonus  .

Any other opinions? I'm currently thinking Gentoo, and will probably go install it soon, but I'd like to hear what others have to say.
[div align=\"right\"][a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=162034\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a][/div]
Fedora anyone? I use Fedora Core 4 daily - haven't yet seen the need to go to FC7 - not sure why Linux feels the same need as M$oft for fast frequent updates. I am running Firefox 2 and Thunderbird 2 and OpenOffice. Fedora uses yum as its update mechanism - simply type yum update and wtach as the system gets updated.....

If you really need Windows and want Linux I cant recommend VMWare strongly enough - like I said I use FC4 daily at work, I have XP at home - cos my kids want the latest games and school forces them to use M$soft - but I use Fedora Core 5 and 6 in VM machines. You can also download pre-made Linux 'appliances' to try out a few distributions before committing one to the hard drive _ *smile* Good luck and have fun....
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ZDevil

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« Reply #7 on: May 25, 2007, 07:05:55 pm »
Since you are having a 3100, i would highly recommend OpenBSD, which for me is gaining much momentum and is becoming a real force.
You can safely keep sharp/cacko in flash intact because obsd runs only on a big MD (or CF).
I've been asking around for making pdaXii dualbooting with obsd. Eager to see a solution.
Two things in obsd that beats all other Z distros: 1) official support; 2) port tree system
Also in terms of stabililty and ease to build compile nativelyi would say OBSD fares even better than the current pdaX.
The setup procedure is just (~95%) the same as on desktop.
« Last Edit: May 25, 2007, 07:09:04 pm by ZDevil »
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Capn_Fish

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« Reply #8 on: May 25, 2007, 08:10:58 pm »
I'm actually looking for a Desktop/Laptop distro, and I am Windows-Free.

Anybody have an idea as to why Gentoo can't connect to the internet? It has an IP address, and emerge worked with the live CD... I can ping on the local intranet.

I installed with the minimal CD, but am DLing the Live CD now to try. It is over 700MB, though, so wouldn't it not fit on a CD?
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adf

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« Reply #9 on: May 25, 2007, 09:04:54 pm »
prognosis on when we might see openbsd running from SD? that would be, to me, the ost tempting option
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T3_slider

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« Reply #10 on: May 25, 2007, 11:36:18 pm »
Quote
I installed with the minimal CD, but am DLing the Live CD now to try. It is over 700MB, though, so wouldn't it not fit on a CD?
Maybe "Live CD" is just a traditional statement.

If you have a DVD-ROM drive you could probably use that, or alternatively a USB flash drive.

I just checked the Gentoo Live CD file and it appears to be 700.29 Mb. If you get one of those 700 Mb CDs it might fit, but it seems tight...maybe the ISO is slightly larger than the actual size after burning. I would say give it a shot and if it doesn't burn try a USB stick or something (I know, stupid answer).
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Capn_Fish

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« Reply #11 on: May 25, 2007, 11:51:46 pm »
Quote
Quote
I installed with the minimal CD, but am DLing the Live CD now to try. It is over 700MB, though, so wouldn't it not fit on a CD?
Maybe "Live CD" is just a traditional statement.

If you have a DVD-ROM drive you could probably use that, or alternatively a USB flash drive.

I just checked the Gentoo Live CD file and it appears to be 700.29 Mb. If you get one of those 700 Mb CDs it might fit, but it seems tight...maybe the ISO is slightly larger than the actual size after burning. I would say give it a shot and if it doesn't burn try a USB stick or something (I know, stupid answer).
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I think I got my issues with that and the minimal install sorted out @ the Gentoo IRC channel. They seem to think that the definition of MB varies.
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desertrat

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« Reply #12 on: May 26, 2007, 03:18:04 am »
The good thing about Gentoo is that you can install using any livecd (or an existing OS if you already have one) and an internet connection. You could do the same in Debian 3.x with the bootstrap thing but it was a lot more fiddly, not sure whether Debian 4.x has improved in that regard.
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Capn_Fish

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« Reply #13 on: May 26, 2007, 07:49:18 pm »
Wow, I'm REALLY getting a bad impression of Gentoo.

[rant]
Installation from the minimal CD went fine, but after a reboot the root password I set didn't work, so I followed directions on a forum to fix it. Then, after getting into my system, the internet connection didn't work, and I have no idea why. So I decided to try to install from the Live CD, which failed on three separate attempts to install. The first was (probably) my fault, but since it scrambles the root password, you can't unmount partitions after you mount them, so you can only try to install once. What's up with that?
[/rant]

Could somebody tell me how to install a preconfigured kernel using the minimal CD or point me to the solution? I really like the premise of Gentoo, but so far I haven't really gotten to try it.

Thanks, and I know this isn't a Gentoo forum, but this is the OT section.
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InSearchOf

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« Reply #14 on: May 26, 2007, 08:21:44 pm »
Wow... I haven't ever had any problems installing Gentoo... it is just that initial learning curve... just understand everything that is going on

but, be patient... at the end it will all be worth it...   but it sucks having to start over :-)

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